Collapsible bag for dispensing liquids, method of manufacturing, and method of use thereof

ABSTRACT

A collapsible container having at least two opposed flexible walls, an opening through which liquid can be removed, and a flange around the opening. The inner surface of each of the two sidewalls and the internal surface of the spout flange preferably have depressions and raised areas between the depressions. Typically, the depressions are not continuous and the raised areas are continuous. The depressions of one wall or flange cooperate with the depressions on the opposed wall to form liquid flow pathways when the wall or flange contacts the opposed wall. The liquid flow pathways allow liquid to pass therethrough instead of being blocked by the contact between a wall or flange and the opposed wall. A method of use and a method of making the bag are also disclosed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to collapsible bags for dispensing liquidproducts, and more particularly to collapsible bags that do not trap orreduce the trapping and/or retention of liquids due to cooperatingdepressions in the bag sidewalls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of collapsible bags or containers are used for dispensingliquids. An example of these collapsible bags is the so-called“bag-in-box” commonly used in the soft drink industry to deliver drinksyrup to soda fountains. A bag-in-box has a box for supporting andprotecting a liquid filled bag during storage, shipment, and dispensing.Liquid contained in the bag typically will be removed through a spoutaccessible through a hole in the box by a vacuum pump.

Often the liquids dispensed from a collapsible bag are sensitive tocontamination from air. The collapsible bags protect the liquids fromair by collapsing as the bag is emptied. While use of a bag-in-boxoffers many advantages, a need exists for improvements in such devices.Typically, the bag collapses unevenly and folds. The folds trap liquidpreventing the complete emptying of the bag. Therefore, a need existsfor a bag-in-box that prevents or reduces the trapping of liquid as thesides of the bag collapse onto each other during liquid withdrawal.

Such bags may also trap liquids when the sidewalls of the bag collapseon each other and/or when a bag sidewall collapses onto the opening.Therefore, a need exists to prevent or reduce the trapping of liquidwhen a sidewall of a bag collapses onto the opening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a collapsible bag orcontainer is provided. The collapsible bag is particularly suitable foruse in a bag-in-box arrangement. The collapsible bag has two or moreopposed flexible walls (first and second walls) and an opening throughwhich liquid can be withdrawn from the container. The first and secondwalls have inner surfaces with a plurality of spaced apart depressionsand raised areas between depressions. The plurality of depressions arediscontinuous. Thus, typically the plurality of depressions in one wallcannot form a flow pathway on the surface of the sidewalls bythemselves. However, the depressions of the first wall cooperate withthe depressions of the second wall to form liquid flow paths when thefirst wall contacts the second wall. The liquid flow paths allow liquidto pass therethrough towards the opening. In one embodiment, thedepressions are discontinuous and the raised areas are continuous.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a collapsiblecontainer is provided. The collapsible container has two or more opposedflexible walls (first and second walls) and an opening through whichliquid can be withdrawn from the container. The first and second wallshave inner surfaces with a plurality of spaced apart discontinuousdepressions and continuous raised areas between depressions. Thedepressions of the first wall cooperate with the depressions of thesecond wall to form liquid flow paths when the first wall contacts thesecond wall. The liquid flow paths allow liquid to pass therethrough.One or both of the walls lack liquid flow pathways on their interiorsurface.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a collapsiblecontainer has two or more opposed, flexible sidewalls, an openingthrough which liquid can be withdrawn and a flange for attachment of aspout. The flange has two or more opposed surfaces. One of the surfacesis flush with the inner surface of the first wall of the container. Theother flange surface and the second wall have spaced apart depressionsand continuous raised areas between depressions. The flange'sdepressions form liquid flow pathways in cooperation with thedepressions of the second wall when the other flange surface contactsthe second wall of the container.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method ofevacuating liquid from a collapsible container is provided. The methodincludes providing a container containing a liquid and removing liquidfrom the container. The container has two flexible walls having innersurfaces with spaced apart depressions and raised areas betweendepressions. The depressions on one wall cooperate with the depressionsof the other wall to form liquid flow paths when the two walls contacteach other. During removal, the first and second walls are allowed tomove inwardly and to contact each other, and liquid is allowed to flowthrough flow paths formed when the first and second walls contact eachother.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of making acollapsible container with flow pathways is provided. The methodincludes providing two flexible sheet portions having a plurality ofspaced apart discontinuous depressions and continuous raised areasbetween depressions; orienting one sheet portion over the other sheetportion to form liquid flow paths, and attaching the first and secondsheet portions together along peripheral portions. The liquid flow pathsinclude two or more depressions from the first wall and two or more ofdepressions from the second wall.

The invention allows liquid to drain through liquid flow paths formedwhen two opposed walls of a bag contact each other thereby preventing orreducing the trapping of liquid in the bag, including by folds formedwhen a container collapses onto itself.

Similarly, the invention prevents or reduces the trapping of liquid whena wall of the container collapses onto a spout of the collapsiblecontainer because liquid flow paths are formed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an empty collapsible bag.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a fragment of the second wall of thecollapsible bag of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the first wall of the collapsiblebag of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the first wall overlying the secondwall of FIG. 1 in a first configuration.

FIG. 4A is a fragmentary plan view of the first wall overlying thesecond wall of FIG. 1 in a second configuration.

FIG. 4B is a fragmentary plan view of the first wall overlying thesecond wall of FIG. 1 in a third configuration.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the second wall of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the bottom portion of a spout

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bottom portion of a second spout.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a pattern of depressionsfor one wall of a collapsible bag.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a pattern of depressionsfor another wall of a collapsible bag.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the depressions of FIG. 8 overlying thedepressions of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a third embodiment of a pattern of depressionsfor one wall of a collapsible bag.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a third embodiment of a pattern of depressionsfor another wall of a collapsible bag.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the depressions of FIG. 11 overlying thedepressions of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of a pattern ofdepressions for one wall of a collapsible bag.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of a pattern ofdepressions for another wall of a collapsible bag.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the depressions of FIG. 14 overlying thedepressions of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a fifth embodiment of a pattern of depressionsfor one wall of a collapsible bag.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a fifth embodiment of a pattern of depressionsfor another wall of a collapsible bag.

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing the depressions of FIG. 17 overlying thedepressions of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of an internal surface of a wall of a sixthembodiment.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of an internal surface of a wall of a seventhembodiment.

FIG. 22 is a plan view showing depressions of one wall overlying thedepressions of a second wall in an eighth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An empty collapsible container 10 is shown in FIG. 1. Collapsiblecontainer 10 has two opposed walls. As shown in FIG. 5, container 10 hasfirst and second opposed walls 12 and 14, respectively, and a spout 54through which liquid may be withdrawn. In use, container 10 can beoriented in any desired direction, but typically the spout is locatednear the bottom of the container. Container 10 is generally locatedwithin a protective box, not shown. Walls 12 and 14 are made of aflexible material that allows container 10 to collapse without causing asignificant vacuum, which would slow down the rate of emptying of thecontainer. Walls 12 and 14 are typically sheets of plastic, which aretypically made from polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, or polyester inbeverage applications. Container 10 can be used for storage of juices,milk, drink syrups, chemicals, etc. Walls 12 and 14 may be made of anyflexible material compatible with the liquid to be stored in container10. Walls 12 and 14 may be multi-layered films or flexible sheets ofdifferent plastics. Container 10 may also have double walls fordurability. Container 10 has a peripheral seal 15.

Walls 12 and 14 have inner surfaces 16 and 18, respectively. Innersurfaces 16 and 18 have spaced apart depressions 20 and 22 and raisedareas 24 and 26 between depressions 20 and 22, respectively. As shown inFIG. 2, second wall 14 has discontinuous depressions 22 separated bycontinuous raised areas 26. As shown in FIG. 3, first wall 12 hasdiscontinuous depressions 20 separated by continuous raised areas 24. Itis not necessary for the invention that each of depressions 20 and 22are discontinuous and discrete, and that all raised areas 24 and 26 arecontinuous. Raised areas 24 and 26 are raised relative to depressions 20and 22, and depressions 20 and 22 are depressed relative to raised areas24 and 26. It is not necessary that depressions 20 and 22 have beenphysically depressed or that raised areas 24 and 26 have been physicallyraised.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, depressions 20 and 22 can have adiamond or square-shaped area. Square depressions 20 and 22 may havesloping or perpendicular walls resulting in a hexahedral shape.Perpendicular walls are shown in FIG. 5, while sloping walls are shownin FIG. 5A. Depressions 20 and 22 are generally hexahedral with squareopposed faces as shown in FIGS. 1-4, but their shape can be any suitableshape so that when the opposed container sheets or walls are in contact,a flow path is provided. Their shape can be cylindrical, conical andfrustoconical, among others.

Depressions 20 of first wall 12 cooperate with depressions 22 of secondwall 14 to form liquid flow paths 27 when first wall 12 contacts secondwall 14. Ordinarily, such contact in a prior art container would trapliquid. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, flow path 27 is formed by the contactof walls 12 and 14 along contact plane 30. Contact plane 30 is generallyformed by a fold in container 10 when container 10 is in a collapsed orpartially collapsed state. Contact plane 30 need not be straight;contact plane 30 is usually curved because folds are usually curved. Theportions of raised areas 24 and 26 that contact each other are notshown, but importantly they prevent raised area 24 x, for example, fromsignificantly entering depression 22 y which would impair flow path 27.

FIG. 5 is exemplary of the flow pathways of container 10 that are formedby the cooperation of sidewalls or first and second opposed walls 12 and14. These flow pathways allow fluid in container 10 to reach spout 54and be withdrawn therethrough. As shown in FIG. 5, flow path 27 includesflow path segments 28 w, 28 x, 28 y and 28 z, each denoted by an arrow.Flow path segment 28 w goes from depression 22 x to depression 20 x.Flow path segment 28 x goes from depression 20 x to depression 22 y.Flow path segment 28 y goes from depression 22 y to depression 20 y.Flow path segment 28 z goes from depression 20 y to depression 22 z. Ineffect, raised areas 26 x, 26 y, 24 x and 24 y are obstacles to the flowof liquid, but depressions 22 and 20 allow fluid to flow over and underthese raised areas 26 and 24. Thus, flow path 27 has at least onedepression 20 and one depression 22. Generally, at least one andpossibly all flow paths 27 will have a plurality of depressions 20 and22 from both walls 12 and 14.

Contact between walls 12 and 14 is common when container 10 isevacuated, especially when it is nearly empty. Such contact areas mayoccur at folds in the container. Liquid flow paths 27 allow liquid topass therethrough toward opening 50 instead of being trapped where walls12 and 14 contact each other as in prior art collapsible containers.“Toward opening 50” does not mean only that the straight line distanceto opening 50 is shorter after passage through a flow path. It alsoincludes the situation where there is a fold on the container and liquidthat passes through a liquid flow path towards the opening results inthe liquid being on the same side of the fold as the opening.

Different configurations of raised areas and depressions which providesuitable flow paths will now be discussed. FIG. 4 shows oneconfiguration of raised areas 24 and depressions 20 of first wall 12relative to raised areas 26 and depressions 22 of second wall 14. InFIG. 4, square depressions 20 are rotated 45° relative to squaredepressions 22. For clarity depressions 20 are shown in bold relative todepressions 22. Depressions 20 and 22 are rotated relative to each otherso that raised areas 24 and 26 cannot be in registry with each otherthereby preventing the formation of flow paths 27 shown in FIG. 5, whichcan be toward spout 54. Depressions 20 and 22 are shown in FIG. 4 ashaving the same size and shape. As will be discussed later, depressions20 and 22 may have the same shape but a different size, or differentshapes.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show two different configurations of raised areas 24 anddepressions 20 of first wall 12 relative to raised areas 26 anddepressions 22 of second wall 14. In FIG. 4A, raised areas 24 are offsetabout half a square vertically and half a square horizontally fromraised areas 26 as drawn on the page. In FIG. 4B, raised areas 24 areoffset half a square vertically from raised areas 26 as drawn on thepage.

Although FIGS. 4A and 4B have raised areas 24 and 26 of first and secondopposed walls 12 and 14 having the same size and shape, the resultingflow path and flow path segments are very different. FIG. 4A shows twoflow path segments 28 a and 28 b permitting flow into depression 20 afrom depressions 22 a and 22 b and two flow path segments 28 e and 28 fpermitting flow out of depression 20 a into depressions 22 d and 22 e.One of skill in the art can appreciate that liquid flow paths 27 (notshown) of FIG. 4A can be tortuous flow paths because liquid flow paths27 can include various flow path segments 28.

Flow paths 27 (not shown) of FIG. 4B are comparatively simple. FIG. 4Bshows flow path segments 28 l, 28 m and 28 n permitting flow fromdepressions 22 l, 22 m and 22 n, respectively, of second wall 14 todepressions 20 l, 20 m and 20 n, respectively. Similarly, flow pathsegments 28 o, 28 p and 28 q permit flow out of depressions 20 l, 20 mand 20 n and into depressions 22 o, 22 p and 22 q, respectively, ofsecond wall 14.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4B, it is preferable that the area of depressions 20and 22 be greater than raised areas 24 and 26 and that depressions 20and 22 be regularly spaced to provide many suitable flow paths and tomaximize the size of the flow paths. However, depressions 20 and 22 canbe irregularly spaced and their shape need not be uniform throughoutwalls 12 and 14.

The collapsible container of FIG. 6 also has an opening 50 through whichliquid can be withdrawn from the container. As illustrated, opening 50has a spout 54 mounted therein with flange 52. Flange 52 has at leastfirst and second opposed surfaces 56 and 58. The first flange surface 56is flush to the inner surface of the first wall 12. As shown in FIGS. 6and 6A, second flange surface 58 can have depressions 62 and raisedareas 60. Depressions 62 cooperate with depressions 22 to form liquidflow paths when second flange surface 58 contacts second wall 14.Depressions 62 can be the same or different than depressions 20.

The spout flange need not have depressions. As shown in FIG. 7, a spout66 includes a flange 64, a first surface 68, and a second surface 70opposed from second surface 70. Second surface 70 is depicted withsixteen flow pathways 72 and sixteen raised areas 74. Alternatively, theflange need not have depressions or flow pathways (not shown).

Spouts 54 and 66 are typically made of polyethylene, but other suitablematerials including various plastics may be used as desired. Flanges 52and 64 may also have cross-bars (not shown) over the central opening toprevent blockage of the opening.

It is to be understood that in each of the following embodiments, only aportion of the opposed walls are illustrated and the depressions andraised areas are located on the internal surfaces of the walls.

Additional embodiments with different patterns of depressions will nowbe discussed. In FIGS. 8-10, first wall 112 has depressions 120 andraised areas 124, and second wall 114 has depressions 122 and raisedareas 126. However, as shown in FIG. 10, depressions 120 are offset andare rotated 180° relative to depressions 122. Depressions 120 and 122have a triangular area.

In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 11-13, depressions 220 and 222have a circular area. Depending on whether the walls of depressions 220and 222 are sloping or perpendicular, depressions 220 and 222 can befrustoconical or cylindrical. Depressions 220 and 222 have differentdiameters to prevent excessive registry of raised areas 224 and 226 offirst and second walls 212 and 214, respectively. As illustrated in FIG.13, depressions 220 are located internally on the top sheet anddepressions 222 are located internally on the lower sheet, hencedepressions 222 are drawn with narrower lines in FIG. 13 for clarity.

In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 14-16, depressions 320 and 322have a rectangular area. Depressions 320 and 322 have the same shape,but are rotated 90° to ensure liquid flow paths when walls 312 and 314contact each other. However, the relatively narrow width of depressions320 and 322 and relatively large width of raised areas 324 and 326 isnot preferred, because it results in excessive registry of raised areas324 and 326.

In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 17-19, first wall 412 hasdepressions 420 which have a square area and raised areas 424, andsecond wall 414 has depressions 422 which have a rectangular area andraised areas 426. Depressions 420, if configured with sloping sidewalls,form quadrilateral frustums (apex-truncated square pyramids). Both thesize and shape of depressions 420 and 422 are different. In thisembodiment, raised areas 424 and 426 are relatively narrow, to providelarger flow pathways from the cooperation of the two opposed containers.

The walls of the collapsible container may, in addition to depressions,have continuous flow pathways or channels. In FIG. 20, a continuous flowpathway 500 is provided between two otherwise adjacent rows ofdepressions 502. Continuous flow pathways 500 may be separated by one,two or more rows of depressions 502, for example. Continuous flowpathways may extend from the peripheral seal on one side to theperipheral seal on the other side of the container, if desired.

In FIG. 21, continuous flow pathway 520 is formed by passages 524 a and524 b between depressions 522 a, 522 b and 522 c. Continuous flowpathway 520 may connect just a few depressions 522 or many depressions522. Continuous flow pathways 500 and 520 are not necessary to theinvention.

If present, continuous flow pathways 500 and 520 can be on both walls ofa container. However, as shown in FIG. 22, continuous flow pathway 520is limited to wall 528 and is absent from wall 530, which as illustratedis similar to wall 14 previously described. Cooperating flow pathwaysare also provided between walls 528 and 530 in a manner described withrespect to FIGS. 1-5, as indicated by arrows 532 a-j, as well as alongflow pathway 520.

Continuous flow pathways on one wall do not need a continuous flowpathway on the other wall to cooperate to form liquid flow paths.However, if not properly configured, the raised areas of continuous flowpathways can interfere with each other when the continuous flow pathwaysof one wall interlock with a raised area of the other wall. Inaccordance with the invention, cooperation between the depressions 20and 22, for example, of two contacting walls is required because raisedareas 24 and 26 are obstacles to liquid flow. In accordance with theinvention, depressions 20 and 22 on one wall do not interlock withrespective raised areas 26 and 24 of the other wall, as describedearlier.

It is to be understood that the depressions are not limited to anyparticular shape. Furthermore, the depressions can be different from onewall to the other and can even be different or vary on one wall. Thedepressions are preferably large relative to raised areas so as tomaximize the flow path size and number. The depressions should not be sowide that depressions on one wall tend to collapse onto the raised areasof the opposed walls under normal operating conditions because liquidflow paths would not be formed or would be impeded. Similarly, raisedareas cannot be so narrow that they tend to collapse. The height of theraised areas over the depressions can be, for example, about 0.005inches. Typically, the dimensions of the depressions will be greaterthan the area and/or width of the raised lines or areas and thedepressions will typically be in the range of from about 0.03 to about0.5 inches or more or less as otherwise desired. The depressions canhave a depth as desired and typically will be in the range of from about30 to about 500 microns or more in depth. The width of the raised areastypically will be in the range of from about 0.01 inches to about 0.1inches. One of skill in the art would be capable of varying the shape,size, and orientation of depressions according to the bag material, theintended use of the bag and other considerations, without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

The depressions may be located on a central portion of the collapsiblebag. Preferably, the depressions are located throughout the innersurfaces of the collapsible container. For best sealing, it is generallypreferred not to have depressions on walls 12 and 14 at peripheral seal15 other or where flange 52 seals to first wall 12.

Method of Evacuating Liquid From A Collapsible Container

A method of evacuating liquid from a collapsible container is provided.The method includes providing a container having at least first andsecond flexible walls and containing a liquid. The first and secondwalls have inner surfaces with spaced apart depressions and areasbetween depressions, such as previously described including with respectto FIGS. 1-22. Next, liquid is removed from the container. Duringremoval of the liquid, the first and second walls are allowed to moveinwardly and to contact each other to form liquid flow paths bycooperation between the depressions of the first wall and thedepressions of the second wall. During removal, liquid is allowed topass through the liquid flow paths towards the opening.

The method can also include forming discontinuous depressions on thefirst and second sheet portions or making continuous raised areas on thefirst and second sheet portions. The depressions may have a shapeselected from the group consisting of cylindrical, hexahedral, conicaland frustoconical on the first and second sheet portions.

The method may also include providing a flange for attachment of a spoutand attaching the flange to the inner surface of the first sheet portionalong a first flange surface opposed to a second opposed surface. Themethod can also include providing liquid flow pathways on the secondflange surface or providing spaced apart depressions and continuousraised areas between depressions on the second surface of the flange sothat the depressions of the second surface form liquid flow pathwayswith the depressions of the second sheet portion when the second surfacecontacts the second sheet portion.

Method of Forming a Collapsible Container

A method of forming a collapsible container with flow pathways isprovided. First and second flexible sheet portions are provided,typically as a single web or as two webs and configured in a manner aspreviously described, such as with respect to FIGS. 1-22. Thedepressions and raised area can be formed by any suitable method usingany suitable equipment. For example, the web or webs are mechanically orultrasonically embossed to form spaced apart depressions and areasbetween depressions on an inner surface of the first and second walls.Preferably, the depressions are discontinuous and the raised areas arecontinuous. Thus, the depressions on each of the sidewalls of the bag donot provide a flow pathway along the inner surface of the bag sidewallby themselves. However, the depressions on one sidewall of the bagcooperate with the depressions on the opposed sidewall when the opposedsidewalls are in contact with each other. The depressions have asuitable shape to provide the desired flow pathways when the opposedsidewalls are in contact with each other. Typical shapes that can beutilized in accordance with the invention include, for example,rectangular (including square), cylindrical, hexahedral, conical andfrustoconical. The depressions may be the same or different on both wallportions.

One sheet portion is oriented over the other sheet portion to formliquid flow paths comprising a plurality of depressions from the firstsheet portion and a plurality of depressions from the second sheetportion. The first and second sheet portions are attached together alongperipheral portions. The sheet portions may be attached by any suitablemethod. Generally, the sheets are attached by heat sealing, impulsedsealing, ultrasonic sealing, or RF sealing.

Preferably, the finished collapsible bag also has a spout. To that end,the method of making a collapsible container can include providing aflange for attachment of a spout, the flange having at least first andsecond opposed surfaces, and attaching the flange to the inner surfaceof the first sheet portion along the flange's first surface. Generally,the flange is attached around a hole provided in the first sheet forevacuating the collapsible container. The flange may be attached by anysuitable method including heat sealing, impulsed sealing, ultrasonicsealing or RF sealing.

The method may also include providing liquid flow pathways on the secondflange surface. Alternatively, the method may include providing spacedapart depressions and continuous areas between depressions on the secondsurface of the flange. The depressions of the second surface of theflange are designed to form liquid flow paths with the depressions ofthe second sheet portion when the flange contacts the second sheetportion. The depressions and liquid flow pathways may be provided by anysuitable method including molding the flanges using molds which causethe depressions or pathways, or embossing or engraving a pre-madeflange.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain preferredembodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, it isto be understood that the invention is capable of numerous changes,modifications and rearrangements and such changes, modifications andrearrangements are intended to be covered by the following claims.

1. A collapsible container for dispensing liquids comprising: at leastfirst and second opposed flexible walls; an opening in the containerthrough which liquid can be withdrawn from the container; and the firstand second walls having inner surfaces with spaced apart discontinuousdepressions and raised areas between discontinuous depressions, thediscontinuous depressions of the first wall cooperating with thediscontinuous depressions of the second wall to form liquid flow pathswhen the first wall contacts the second wall, the liquid flow pathsallowing liquid to pass therethrough towards the opening.
 2. Thecollapsible container of claim 1 wherein the depressions arediscontinuous.
 3. The collapsible container of claim 1 wherein theraised areas are continuous.
 4. The collapsible container of claim 1wherein the first and second walls contact each other when the containeris evacuated.
 5. The collapsible container of claim 1 wherein each ofthe liquid flow paths comprises a plurality of depressions from thefirst wall and a plurality of depressions from the second wall.
 6. Thecollapsible container of claim 1 wherein the depressions on the first orsecond walls have a shape selected from the group consisting ofcylindrical, hexahedral, conical and frustoconical.
 7. The collapsiblecontainer of claim 1 wherein the depressions on the first wall havesubstantially the same shape as the depressions on the second wall, butdiffer by at least one of size and orientation.
 8. The collapsiblecontainer of claim 1 wherein the depressions on the first wall havesubstantially different shapes as the depressions on the second wall. 9.The collapsible container of claim 1 wherein the opening furthercomprises a flange for attachment of a spout, the flange having at leastfirst and second opposed surfaces, the first flange surface flush to theinner surface of the first wall.
 10. The collapsible container of claim9 wherein the second flange surface has liquid flow pathways.
 11. Thecollapsible container of claim 9 wherein the second surface of theflange has spaced apart depressions and continuous raised areas betweendepressions, the depressions of the second surface forming liquid flowpaths with the depressions of the second wall when the second surfacecontacts the second wall.
 12. A collapsible container comprising: atleast first and second opposed walls; and an opening in the containerthrough which liquid can be withdrawn from the container; the first andsecond walls having inner surfaces with spaced apart depressions andraised areas between depressions, the depressions of the first wallcooperating with the depressions of the second wall to form liquid flowpaths when the first wall contacts the second wall, the liquid flowpaths allowing liquid to pass therethrough; wherein at least one of thefirst and second walls lacks liquid flow pathways on the interiorsurface thereof.
 13. The collapsible container of claim 12 wherein thedepressions are discontinuous.
 14. The collapsible container of claim 12wherein both walls lack liquid flow pathways on the interior surfacethereof.
 15. The collapsible container of claim 12 wherein the first andsecond walls contact each other when the container is empty.
 16. Thecollapsible container of claim 12 wherein each of the liquid flow pathscomprises a plurality of depressions from the first wall and a pluralityof depressions from the second wall.
 17. The collapsible container ofclaim 12 wherein the depressions on the first or second walls have ashape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, hexahedral,conical and frustroconical.
 18. The collapsible container of claim 12wherein the depressions on the first wall have substantially the sameshape as the depressions on the second wall, but differ by at least oneof size and orientation.
 19. The collapsible container of claim 12wherein the depressions on the first wall have substantially differentshapes from the depressions on the second wall.
 20. The collapsiblecontainer of claim 12 wherein the opening further comprises a flange forattachment of a spout, the flange having at least first and secondopposed surfaces, the first flange surface flush to the inner surface ofthe first wall.
 21. The collapsible container of claim 20 wherein thesecond flange surface has liquid flow pathways.
 22. The collapsiblecontainer of claim 20 wherein the second surface of the flange hasspaced apart depressions and continuous raised areas betweendepressions, the depressions of the second surface forming liquid flowpaths with the depressions of the second wall when the second surfacecontacts the second wall.
 23. A method of evacuating liquid from acollapsible container comprising: providing a container comprising atleast first and second flexible walls, the container containing aliquid; removing liquid from the container; allowing the first andsecond walls to move inwardly during removal of liquid and to contacteach other; the first and second walls having inner surfaces with spacedapart depressions and raised areas between depressions, the depressionsof the first wall cooperating with the depressions of the second wall toform liquid flow paths when the first wall contacts the second wall; andallowing the liquid to pass through the liquid flow paths towards theopening.
 24. The method of claim 23 further comprising makingdiscontinuous depressions on the first and second walls.
 25. The methodof claim 23 further comprising making continuous raised areas on thefirst and second walls.
 26. The method of claim 23 wherein each of theliquid flow paths comprises a plurality of depressions from the firstwall and a plurality of depressions from the second wall.
 27. The methodof claim 23 further comprising making depressions having a shapeselected from the group consisting of cylindrical, hexahedral, conicaland frustroconical on the first and second sheets.
 28. The method ofclaim 23 further comprising: providing a hole in the first sheet; andattaching a flange around the hole for attachment of a spout, the flangehaving at least first and second opposed surfaces, the first flangesurface flush to the inner surface of the first wall.
 29. The method ofclaim 28 further comprising providing liquid flow pathways on the secondflange surface.
 30. The method of claim 28 further comprising providingspaced apart depressions and continuous raised areas between depressionson the second surface of the flange; and causing the second surface tocontact the second wall forming liquid flow pathways from depressions ofthe second surface and depressions of the second wall.
 31. A method offorming a collapsible container with flow pathways comprising: providingfirst and second flexible sheet portions having spaced apart depressionsand raised areas between depressions; orienting one sheet portion overthe other sheet portion to form liquid flow paths comprising a pluralityof depressions from the first sheet and a plurality of depressions fromthe second sheet; and attaching the first and second sheets togetheralong peripheral portions.
 32. The method of claim 31 further comprisingforming discontinuous depressions on the first and second sheetportions.
 33. The method of claim 31 further comprising makingcontinuous raised areas on the first and second sheet portions.
 34. Themethod of claim 31 further comprising making depressions having a shapeselected from the group consisting of cylindrical, hexahedral, conicaland frustroconical on the first and second sheet portions.
 35. Themethod of claim 31 further comprising: providing a flange for attachmentof a spout, the flange, having at least first and second opposedsurfaces, and attaching the flange to the inner surface of the firstsheet portion along the first flange surface.
 36. The method of claim 31further comprising providing liquid flow pathways on the second flangesurface.
 37. The method of claim 35 further comprising providing spacedapart depressions and continuous raised areas between depressions on thesecond surface of the flange, the depressions of the second surfaceforming liquid flow pathways with the depressions of the second sheetportion when the second surface contacts the second sheet portion.
 38. Acollapsible container for dispensing liquids comprising: at least firstand second opposed flexible walls; an opening in the container throughwhich liquid can be withdrawn from the container, the opening comprisinga flange for attachment of a spout, the flange having at least first andsecond opposed surfaces, the first flange surface flush to the innersurface of the first wall; the second wall having an inner surface withspaced apart depressions and raised areas between depressions; and thesecond surface of the flange having spaced apart depressions and raisedareas between depressions, the depressions of the second surfacecooperating with the depressions of the second wall to form liquid flowpaths when the second surface contacts the second wall, the liquid flowpaths allowing liquid to pass therethrough.
 39. The collapsiblecontainer of claim 38 wherein the depressions are discontinuous.
 40. Thecollapsible container of claim 38 wherein the raised areas arecontinuous.
 41. The collapsible container of claim 38 wherein the secondwall and second surface contact each other when the container isevacuated.
 42. The collapsible container of claim 38 wherein each of theliquid flow paths comprises a plurality of depressions from the secondwall and a plurality of depressions from the second surface.
 43. Thecollapsible container of claim 38 wherein the depressions on the secondwall or second surface have a shape selected from the group consistingof cylindrical, hexahedral, conical and frustoconical.
 44. Thecollapsible container of claim 38 wherein the depressions on the secondwall have substantially the same shape as the depressions on the secondsurface, but differ by at least one of size and orientation.
 45. Thecollapsible container of claim 38 wherein the depressions on the secondwall have substantially different shapes from the depressions on thesecond surface.
 46. The collapsible container of claim 38 wherein thefirst wall has an inner surface with spaced apart depressions and raisedareas between depressions, the depressions of the first wall formingliquid flow paths with the depressions of the second wall when the firstsurface contacts the second wall.
 47. The collapsible container of claim46 wherein each of the liquid flow paths comprises a plurality ofdepressions from the second wall and a plurality of depressions from thefirst wall.